Manchester United came very close to signing Ederson in the summer, only for the deal to collapse after his medical examinations.
Months later, the Atalanta midfielder has now offered quite a pointed response to the concerns which stopped the transfer.
Speaking to Brazilian outlet Trivela, Ederson stressed just how good he feels physically. Of course that comes after Manchester United reportedly raised concerns about his knee history.
The Premier League club had agreed a deal worth around €44m (£38m) with Atalanta. Everything appeared ready to go after the World Cup. Then came the medical.
“Physically, I’ve been blessed”
Trivela explains Manchester United’s concern centered on Ederson’s previous knee problems and a procedure on his meniscus. The suggestion was about his medical history, rather than an injury he was carrying at the time.
Ederson doesn’t appear particularly convinced by that explanation.
“I’m very well, as I’ve always been, actually. Physically, I can’t complain. I’ve always been very blessed in that regard, I’ve always been well,” he said.
“The injuries that affected my call-ups were minor. They kept me out for a few days, and I was just unlucky that they happened very close to the call-ups.”
“That’s why I always came back very quickly. I’ve never had any kind of injury that kept me out for a long time.”
There’s some history here. Ederson had previously questioned reports that he failed his Manchester United medical. He said at the time that he didn’t know what had changed and believed his examinations had gone well.
Now he’s clearly keen to make the point that his body hasn’t caused him significant problems. What happened afterwards helps his argument.
Back early and straight through Atalanta’s tests
Ederson returned to Atalanta earlier than required after the summer break. He had been entitled to additional time off because of his involvement with Brazil at the World Cup.
Instead, he came back early to recover the conditioning he had lost during the tournament.
“I did the whole preparation without any problems, all the tests, and started the season as always,” Ederson told Trivela.
“I’m very well to continue the season. And Atalanta know me very well.”
Ederson doesn’t directly criticise United or accuse them of getting anything wrong. Still, he certainly wants it known that Atalanta have a very good understanding of his physical condition. They backed that up pretty quickly.
Only days after the Manchester United transfer collapsed, Atalanta renewed Ederson’s contract until June 2031. He’s since become captain and started all four of their matches so far this season.
Atalanta welcomed him straight back
There was also no awkwardness when Ederson returned to Bergamo. The Brazilian says he has always had an excellent relationship with Atalanta and regularly spoke to the club whenever transfer interest arrived.
“I always spoke a lot with the club, I have an excellent relationship here,” he explained.
“Whenever this happened, with enquiries and offers, I asked what Atalanta’s intention was, what the project was, whether they were thinking of selling me, and they never thought about selling me.”
Ederson had his own condition for leaving. He told Atalanta he would only want a transfer if the opportunity came from a top-level club.
Atletico Madrid tried earlier in 2026 and made progress with the midfielder. Their negotiations eventually stalled over the difference between their offer and Atalanta’s demands. Manchester United then went much further until it collapsed.
Now Ederson says he’s fit. Atalanta clearly have no concerns either, given the new long-term contract and captaincy.
“I am very close to the club and I’m also very grateful to Atalanta, because these have been the best years of my career so far,” he said.
For Manchester United, the transfer is now long gone. Ederson, though, seems determined to make sure the medical story doesn’t leave the wrong impression about him.
